Shelf or rack suitable for refrigerators or the like



MarchZ, 1943.

B. L. M ARDLE SHELF OR RACK SUITABLE FOR REFRIGERATORS OR THE- LIKE.

2 Sheets-Sheet i I ATTORNEYS Filed Sept. 15, 1939 March 2, 1943. B, MCARDLE 2,312,765

SHELF OR RACK SUITABLE FOR REFRIGERATORS OR'THE LIKE Filed Sept. 15, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 2, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHELF R RACK SUITABLE FOR REFRIGERATORS OR THE LIKE Beryl L. McArdle, Battle. Creek, Mich, assignor to United Steel and Wire Company, Battle Creek, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application September 13, 1939', Serial No. 294,602 S'Claims. (01. 211-153) means for preventing the metal parts thereoffrom scraping the finished inner side walls of the refrigerator, such buffer means also constituting means for ornamenting'the shelf. I

Third, to provide a shelf of the character described in which the ornamental element may be readily varied in shape or color to meet or harmonize with other ornamentations of a refrigerator or the like.

Fourth, to provide a structure having these advantages which may be very economically produced.

Objects relating to details and economies'of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of a preferred form or embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view sectioned on line 33 of Figs. 1 and 4.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in section through the frame of a modified form or embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view sectioned on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in section through the border frame of an embodiment of my invention in which the front member of the border frame is formed of parallel rod-like portions and the ornamental insert secured between the rod members.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentaryview in section on line ||--Il of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is an embodiment of which the front border frame member is formed of a pair of rod-like members of rectangular section.

Fig. 13 is an embodiment similar to "that of Fig. 12 in which there are a pair of outwardly facing longitudinal recesses receivinga pair of ornamental elements.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view of a border frame sectioned through the frame showing a still further modification embodying apair o'f orn a" mental strips.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary'view of still another modification or adaptation of my invention.

In the embodiment of Figs. 1', 2, 3 and 4 the main border frame is formed of rods [9 to the front member 'of which the supplemental member 22 is secured by welds "23 providing a composite front frame or frame member having an outwardly facing longitudinal slot, recess or channel 24 between members 20, 22 in which the insert or finishing strip 25 is positionedand secured'by folding the end 21 thereof inwardly at the ends of the member 22 which extend around the corners of the frame. Additional securing'clips may be provided but the plastic material preferably used is of a character that has considerable rigidity when cold. In this embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the border frame presents a series of rounded surfaces, the

intermediate surface being preferablyof plastic material and contrasting with the surfacesof the members 20 and 22. I In the embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6 th frame member [9 is provided with a front portion 20 to which is secured'th'e curved sheet metal member 28 so conformed as to coact with the part 20 in defining a front frame or frame member having the outwardly facing longitudinal slot, channel or recess 29 receiving the insert 30 corresponding in general to the insert 25. Bendable clips 3| are provided on the ends of the shelf for clamping the end portions 32 of the insert into the recess.

In the embodiment shown inFig. '1 the frame member l9 has a supplemental member 33 corresponding to the member 22 secured thereto in spaced relation by means of the tie members 34 and, like the precedingembodiments in which a composite front frame member is involved, co-' acting with member"! in defining said compo site front frame having a slit extending therealong between the top and bottom sides thereof,

my invention in the insert being inserted or clamped in said slot between the frame member 33 and the opposed coacting member 20.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 the front border member 36 of the frame has a member 31 secured thereto as by spot welding at 38. The member 31 is of smaller diameter than, the, member 36 and has an ornamental sleeve 39 thereon, this sleeve being of plastic or suitable contrasting material.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 9 to 11 the front border member 40 has rearwardly turned ends 4|, the slot or channel 42 extending into these ends. The end members 43 of the. frame are inwardly offset at 44 and secured by welding at 45 to the inner side of the member .40. The finishing strip or insert 46 in this embodiment is folded around the rearwardly curved ends of the member 46 as shown at 41, Figs. 9 and 11, and is secured thereto by means of suitable bendable clips 48, see Figs. 10 and 11.

I11 the foregoing description I employ the terms slot, channel and frecess interchangeably to designate the longitudinal ornamental stripreceiving way intermediate the'top and bottom of the frame or border, whether the same is constituted by a pair of rod-like members suitably secured together in spaced relation or otherwiseby welding, as in the embodimentiof Figsyl. to 4. for example, or whether it is constituted .by a single integral member grooved medially of its top and points to provide an elongated outwardly facing longitudinal slot, grid elements secured to said bottom, as for example in the embodimentv of Figs. 9, 10 and 11. So far as the concept of receiving the said strip is concerned,.the. two concepts are functionally the same. I therefore. desire the terms to be. so. construed in the, description and claims to follow, unlessmodified by further structuraldetails.

Inthe embodiment of-my invention shown in Fig. 12 the front border frame designated; generally-by the numeral 49 comprises a pair of coextensive rectangular'bar' members 50 secured together by the tie members 5| in spaced relation to'provide a longitudinal. slot, channel or recess 52 in which'the finishinginsert 53 is arranged.

In Fig. 13 the frame member is made-up of three of the bar-like members 50 secured together by the tie member 54 corresponding-to the the member 5| providing two longitudinal slots, channels or recesses 52 for the inserts 53.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 14 the front frame member 55 is provided with an outwardly facing slot or channel'56- to receiVe the insert 511, a sheet metal strip 58' being; secured to the under side of the member 55. to provide a second outwardly facingslot or channel or recess 59 for a finishing strip 51.

The embodiment ofmy invention shown in Fig. 15 is quite similar to that shown in Figs. 1,2, 3 and 4 in which the supplemental member 2 2 is secured to the front member-20- of the border frame l9 to. provide a composite front frame or frame-member between the top and bottom sides of which there is. defined a slot or channel for the finishing strip 25. In this embodiment of Fig. 15 the wire slats or grid elements 60 are disposed With their ends between the members 20 and 22 and welded thereto as indicated at 6|. The slat or grid members thus perform the double function of constituting weld elements, avoiding the necessityof introducing "welding lugs asshown at 23 in Fig. 3 and also as an effective-means for-securingthe slats. I

All-of; these embodiments: provide-for contrast ingsurfaces and very ornamental and effective -frame, and astrip of material arranged in said slot to provide a contrasting ornament for said front member.

2. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a border frame comprising a front member including a pair of rod-like members disposed in superimposed relation andconnected by transverse tie means to provide an elongated outwardly facing longitudinal slot, grid elements secured to said frame, and a strip of material arranged in said slot to provide a contrasting ornament for said front member.

3. In a structure ofthe class described, the combination with a border frame comprising a front member, of grid elements secured to said frame, said front frame member comprising a rod-like element, and a transversely curved member secured thereto and coacting therewith to provide an elongated outwardly facing longitudinal slots, and a strip of ornamental material arranged in said slot.

4. In a structure of the classdescribed, the combination with a border frame comprising a front frame member, an auxiliary front member disposed below said front frame member, grid elements disposed between said front frame member and auxiliary member and welded theretOySZtld members coacting to provide an elongated outwardly facing slot between the top and bottom of the thus associated members extending longitudinally of the members, and an insert strip of material arranged in said slot to provide a contrasting ornament and to close the space between said front frame and auxiliary member and cover the ends of said grid members.

5. In a structure of the class described-the combination with a border frame comprising a front frame member, an auxiliary front member, said front frame'member and auxiliary frame member being disposed in superimposed relation, grid elements disposed between said front frame member and auxiliary member and welded thereto, said members coacting to provide an elongated outwardly facing slot between the top and bottom of the thus associated members extending longitudinally of the members, and an insert strip of material arranged in said slot.

6. A shelf of the class described comprising a border frame comprising a front member having an elongated outwardly facing slot disposed between the top and bottom of said member and extending longitudinally thereof, the edges of the slot being outwardly rounded to present bead-like surfaces, grid elements disposed with their front ends abutting the inner side of the front member of the frame and welded thereto, and a strip. of plastic material arranged within said outwardly facing slot to project slightly outwardly therefrom and constituting an ornamental beading between said bead-like surface.

7. A shelf of the class described comprising faced, rod-like elements defining therebetween an elongated outwardly facing slot between the top and bottom of the member and extending l n itudinally thereof, tie members securing said elements in operative relation, grid elements secured to said frame, and a strip of material distinct from that of said member arranged in said slot to constitute a finishing element for said front frame member.

BERYL L. McARDLE. 

